Synopsis

At fifteen most guys only have to worry about the style of their shoes, or mustering up the courage to talk to the pretty girl sitting across the room. Gabe Perkins isn’t most guys. After being diagnosed with a terminal illness, he begins to make friends with a girl so ethereal that he starts to question his own sanity.

“Look at those fish,” she said, diverting her attention towards the creek. “What about them?” “They’re just swimming along. Living and breathing. I wonder,” she said as she nudged her shoulder against mine, “if they know what purpose they serve.” “Well, they probably don’t.” “Why’s that?” “Because, they’re fish?” “Don’t think so low of the marine species.” “Zippy, they’re little minnows. They’re so little they probably only live a few months. Why worry about their place in life?” “I don’t know. Something of the simplicity of them is nice, though, you must admit.” She gleamed ear to ear, “Imagine, if you were a little minnow, swimming down the creek.” “Oh, crap.” “What?” “Do you really think there’s something out there that really cares about those little fish? Or even, you know, if something out there is looking down at us, talking about us like we’re little fish? As if we’re just tiny little minnows swimming down a stream, unsure of what fate lies ahead of us?” “I do.”

Links

Review

It had a few touching moments and I even cried a little at the end. The concept of the book is a great one, but the execution fell a little short of the potential a story like this could have.

A lot of the dialogue, and a couple of situations, felt unrealistic for the age these characters are. Another read through from an editor as well would be beneficial; there are some small grammar/typo errors throughout, as well as some mix up of names that steal away from the story at times.